A Glimpse into French Polynesia

A voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises draws you closer to the culture and history of French Polynesia

The Lure of French Polynesia

A tropical breeze brushes your skin as you lounge on your oceanview balcony aboard m/s Paul Gauguin. This is the welcoming embrace of French Polynesia as you glide along shallow seas to sheltered island ports boasting lush waterfall valleys and green-clad volcanic peaks rising from the sea. Take a tender to the shore, arriving at this paradisiacal land where the local culture reveals itself to you, led by Paul Gauguin Cruises’ longstanding connections to this ancient world.

French Polynesia Through a Local's Eyes

Stepping onto the shores of French Polynesia feels like a dream, where turquoise seas hug sun-warmed white sands and abundant rainforests dominate the interior landscape. This otherworldly beauty takes on an entirely new dimension as you learn the stories, legends and history that have shaped the culture of this diverse region through insightful onboard lectures and shore excursions led by seasoned experts in archaeology, anthropology and marine biology, and even locals.

One such local is archaeologist and onboard expert Mark Eddowes. On select voyages with Paul Gauguin, he captivates with tales as he takes guests to little visited areas of Tahiti. We recently chatted with him to get an insider look on what it’s like to travel with Paul Gauguin Cruises, what excursions he leads, and to learn what new research he’s been doing in French Polynesia.

Q&A with Mark Eddowes

Les Gauguines are Tahitian hosts and entertainers that bring the spirit of Polynesia to life.

Q: As a local islander, what do you love most about French Polynesia?

Mark Eddowes: The islands and people of Polynesia have a beauty and simplicity that is a vestige of days gone by. [Theirs is] a culture rooted in the natural world, a true kinship between man and nature. The varied blues of the lagoons, in particular, defy description, and lush, vibrant, tropical vegetation is accompanied by a floral perfume all day long.

Q: Of the local stories and legends you share, what are some of the most intriguing to guests?

Mark Eddowes: Practically all of our guests have watched one of the three films about the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, and many have read the famous trilogy. So they enjoy hearing my lecture, “Mutiny on the Bounty: What Really Happened?” based upon my own research into the fascinating clash of cultures between British seamen and Tahitian Ma’ohi.

The ancient ruins of a temple in Mo'orea

Q: On shore, what secrets do you reveal in your "Trails of the Ancients Trek" excursion on Mo’orea?

Mark Eddowes: This is a total immersion as we walk through the lush vegetation of the rainforest, visit ancient marae (temples) and experience how the Ma’ohi lived 200 years ago. As I’ve long been a student of the ethno-botany here, I explain how plants and trees were used in times past and are still used in traditional plant medicine today. As an archaeologist active in research, I also share the ancient history of this valley as it was occupied over the centuries before the coming of Europeans.

Mo'orea also presents multiple venues for exploration, from multi-hued lagoons to palm-fringed beaches.

Q: Can you tell us more about your ongoing work on these islands?

Mark Eddowes: I continue to do archaeological site surveys and prospecting in the valleys of the Society Islands, particularly on Mo'orea. Since 2014, I have been researching the archaeological sites on the atoll of Teti’aroa and, so far, I have located some 100 sites, including a number of unique marae. In the Cook Islands, I’m working on the marae of Aitutaki Island. A lot of this is accompanied by archival research into historical texts and oral traditions.

Mingle with the captain and fellow guests at La Veranda.

Q: What experiences do you look forward to the most when you’re onboard m/s Paul Gauguin?

Mark Eddowes: Meeting guests from around the world and different walks of life gives me an opportunity to share my passion for the cultures here and discuss different topics over a glass of wine and fine dining. (Much different from the fish, breadfruit and banana I invariably eat at home on Mo'orea!)

Opunohu Valley

Q: What are some of your favorite local activities on Mo'orea that guests can also enjoy?

Mark Eddowes: There is a ranch in the lower part of Opunohu Valley that offers guided horseback treks through the native rainforest. It’s an ideal way to discover the interior of the island and it takes you to unusual and rarely visited places. I excavated and restored two marae up in the valley below the Belvedere [Lookout] that can be visited, and we have signed trails linking these and other archaeological sites now throughout the upper valley.

Strengthening your connection to the land is the cornerstone of your Paul Gauguin Cruises voyage as you sail intimate ships that were purpose-built to navigate the South Pacific seas. Warm and welcoming Polynesian hospitality draws you in, inviting you to embrace the people and their culture: Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines — a group of Tahitian storytellers and musicians — share their traditions both on your cruise and on a joyful outing to your own private island feast; Polynesian cuisine transcends from ship to shore with meals reflecting the flavors of the destination, including a lesson in preparing poisson cru, Tahiti’s national dish sourced from the seas. These profound Polynesian influences are inextricably linked to your Paul Gauguin Cruise experience, bringing you beyond the picture-perfect shores to discover the island within.

READY TO GO?

Contact us today to plan your inclusive voyage that transports you deep into the heart of French Polynesia.